After two ballot rounds, Ngati Maniapoto's Simon Bridges was elected as leader of the National Party and Tainui's Paula Bennett, who had one opponent contesting her position who Bridges would not name, was elected as deputy.

The agreement between Labour and New Zealand First has been announced and it is full of lollies. From a manned re-entry to Pike River, to the foreign ownership, all the way to a Winston Peters classic, a SuperGold card.

The coalition between the Labour Party and New Zealand First is official even though their policy negotiations are yet to be announced. New Zealand First will receive four ministerial roles with a specialised role reserved for Winston Peters.